This should be more than one post, but I'm lazy.

Been attempting group pictures a few times lately. They are turning out famously.

A little better with Daddy to keep them smiling.
This is Ava and her friend, Luke. I thought they both looked a)darling, and b)kind of alike in this picture. No wonder I think he is the cutest thing ever!
You may notice that Kaiya has a cup in 99% of pictures. I've never known a more hydrated human.
I am so frustrated I didn't get more pictures this day, but my college friends Jenny and April, along with cutie Jackson came over and we only got this one lousy picture. But-we had a great, though undocumented time.
Over the weekend we went to see our buddies. I love this picture the first night we got there of all the dads and dolls on the couch.
Getting Ava in on the bottle attempts. I figure I'll try anything at this point.
My little animated sweetie. She is also getting her third (!) bottom tooth, so her hand is pretty much always her chew toy.

Not sure which I like better: this
this...
or this. :)
My little appendage.
We went our for DQ-I thought this was just a fabulous shot.
Better. But blurry. Sometimes you just can't win.
BlizZArdS!
I'm not even going to tell you how, but a rusted out pick up truck joined our family. This is the first group shot.
And what's the point of a rusted out pick up truck if you can't fully embrace the WT with a lawn chair and a beer in the bed.
Splash pad.
And don't let cuddle bunny fool you-
she's on the move! I can't believe she is old enough for this thing!

Oil-Free

I'd take Lake Michigan over the ocean any day. No oil, jelly fish, or sharks. We've been missing our good friends who left us to live at the lake for the summer, so last week we went to find them and enjoy their beautiful summer home. :)

Oh joyous reunion.

Happy girl.
Ava and Natalie are our strong-willed first children. We had to cage them a few times. (I'M KIDDING.)
Sorry, Nat. Pressing her belly button makes nothing cool happen.
Still a happy girl.
Buried in the sand.
Kaiya taking a break with sleeping sister.
What I did not post pictures of: the ten minutes prior to this picture. They made this scene all the sweeter.
:)
Such a fun day. Left our bathing suits there so we will be going back soon. :) I love you Michigan and we love you Kent's!

Sweet Sixteen (again)

Reese just turned four months. Which is weird, since she was just born. Also, she weighs SIXTEEN POUNDS. For many of you, this may mean nothing...but I have never had a big baby like this. It's taking some real restraint not to just take a bit bite out of her thighs.

SIXTEEN POUNDS. And 25 1/4 inches. 92nd Percentile. Thatta girl.

(Disclaimer: Feel free not to read the rest of this. It's a result of extreme guilt because I have no clue what the others weighed or did at 4 months.)

But...all the sudden, little sweetie is rolling all over the floor, scooting off the couch (whoops), out of her carseat (whoops again), scaling the boppy, and going to bed earlier. It's gotten that every time we are in the other room, Ava walks in and sees Reese and says: "oh my gosh!". Wonder where she got that. It's just that I've been repeatedly surprised at the increased mobility. Three kids has been really easy so far, but I feel like that might be coming to a screeching halt. Oh mobility, how we long for you and hate you all at the same time.

Oh yeah, and still not taking a bottle. Even with a LOT of trying. Interesting predicament. However, since she still hasn't really cried since the initial bath after she was born, I figure she can do a few frustrating things.

Loving our 4 month old chunky monkey to bits!

Sweet Sixteen

We spent last weekend with my brother, sister in love :), and their five sweet girls. It was a PERFECT 3 days!

Lily and Ava
Lily and Eden
My fabulous sister (by marriage) is such a wonderful friend, and mentor. She is an amazing mama, and I feel so blessed to have her to learn from! Jill and Joel have been together since I was 5, so it's fun to get to be even close to the same stage of life!
Claire loving on Reese.

Uncle Joel shows no shame when it comes to entertaining!
Taco Night on the deck!
I LOVE this picture!
Donuts for breakfast per Anderson tradition.
At Aidan's Gus Macker basketball tournament.
Then out to lunch with all 16 of us!
CIDER!
AND DONUTS! (breakfast AND lunch?? we need to watch it!)


Snacks at Aunt Lindy and Uncle Kev's cottage.
Ava and Maia.
Tag team mowing!
What age does swinging go from fun to nauseating? Maybe the same age that sitting by the pool becomes way more fun than getting IN the pool!



All the cuties, minus Reese.
Our last night we left all ten kiddos home and headed out to celebrate:
26th Anniversary!
Um, well, nothing really.
And their 18th Anniversary!!
Such a special weekend together!